System for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls

Abstract

A system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls, the control system includes a handgrip mounted on a shaft and fitted with a position sensor and with a return spring which is fixed by one end to the handgrip so as to generate a return moment that opposes the twisting of the handgrip. The system includes at least one actuator able to move a cam mounted on the shaft and able to: modify the preload of the return spring according to the position of the cam to which the other end of the return spring is fixed, and/or modify the travel of the handgrip by collaborating with an end stop of the handgrip, the end stop coming into contact with a cam at the end of the travel.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls, the control system comprising: a handgrip mounted on a shaft of a handlebar; a position sensor; a return spring which is fixed by one end to the handgrip so as to generate a return moment that opposes twisting of the handgrip; and at least one actuator able to move a cam mounted on the shaft and able to: modify a preload of the return spring according to a position of the cam to which an opposite end of the return spring is fixed, and/or modify travel of the handgrip by collaborating with an end stop of the handgrip, the end stop coming into contact with the cam at the end of the travel.

2. The system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls as claimed in claim 1, wherein the return spring is of the spiral spring type, wound around the shaft of the handgrip.

3. The system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls as claimed in claim 2, wherein the position sensor is an index sensor collaborating with an index attached to the handgrip, using mechanical or magnetic interaction.

4. The system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handlebar controls the steering of the vehicle, the handgrip being fixed to the shaft of said handlebar.

5. The system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handgrip is a throttle handgrip providing control over the acceleration of the vehicle.

6. The system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position sensor is an index sensor collaborating with an index attached to the handgrip, using mechanical or magnetic interaction.

7. A system for controlling a motorized vehicle having at least two wheels and fitted with a control system, wherein the control system comprises: a handgrip mounted on a shaft; a position sensor; a return spring which is fixed by one end to the handgrip so as to generate a return moment that opposes twisting of the handgrip; and at least one actuator able to move a cam mounted on the shaft and able to: modify a preload of the return spring according to a position of the cam to which an opposite end of the return spring is fixed, and/or modify travel of the handgrip by collaborating with an end stop of the handgrip, the end stop coming into contact with the cam at the end of the travel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objects, features and advantages of aspects of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to an aspect of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the key elements of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to the first embodiment, in a view along the axis of the handgrip,

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to an aspect of the invention, and

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the key elements of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to the second embodiment, in a view along the axis of the handgrip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) The system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to an aspect of the invention allows control of the return force of the handgrip spring by the electronic control unit that governs the other functions of the vehicle so as to be able to provide the rider/driver with feedback as to the demand for torque.

(7) The system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls also allows control over the maximum travel of the throttle handgrip.

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to an aspect of the invention. The system comprises a handgrip 1, notably a throttle handgrip, mounted on a shaft 1b and fitted with a position sensor 2 and with a return spring 3 wound around the shaft 1b.

(9) The system also comprises a first actuator 4a able to move a first cam 5a mounted on the shaft 1b and fixed to the return spring 3, the return spring also being fixed to the handgrip 1 in such a way as to generate a return moment that opposes the twisting of the grip 1 and that increases with increasing twisting of the handgrip 1. Moving the first cam 5a allows the preload to be modified.

(10) The system comprises a second actuator 4b that makes it possible to move a second cam 5b mounted on the shaft 1b and collaborating with an end stop 6 of the handgrip in order to limit the travel thereof.

(11) The position sensor 2 and the actuators 4a, 4b are connected to the electronic control unit 7.

(12) The electronic control unit 7 receives the position of the handgrip via the position sensor 2 so as to determine the torque required and the corresponding engine commands. In return, it emits a control signal destined for the first actuator 4a in order to modify the position of the first cam 5a so as to act on the return spring 3 in order to modify the preload thereof. It is thus possible to modify the resistance felt by the rider/driver as he twists the handgrip.

(13) In one exemplary embodiment, the handgrip offers more resistance to twisting when the torque is high and less resistance when the torque is low.

(14) The electronic control unit 7 emits another control signal destined for the second actuator 4b so as to modify the angular position of the second cam 5b thereby limiting the travel available when twisting the handgrip 1 because of the presence of the end stop 6.

(15) In one exemplary embodiment, it is thus possible to modify the maximum travel of the handgrip in such a way as to limit the travel needed to pass from zero torque to maximum torque. Such handgrip behavior is generally sought-after in competitions in order to limit the muscle fatigue of the rider and minimize the time taken to obtain maximum torque.

(16) FIG. 2 illustrates the key elements of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to the first embodiment, in a view along the axis of the handgrip.

(17) It can be seen that the external radius of the first cam 5a is smaller than the internal radius of the end stop 6 so as not to interfere.

(18) On the other hand, the external radius of the second cam 5b is greater than the internal radius of the end stop 6 so as to be able to block the travel of the handgrip.

(19) Although FIGS. 1 and 2 and the corresponding description describe a system comprising one cam/actuator assembly for modifying the preload of the handgrip return spring, and another cam/actuator assembly for modifying the travel of the handgrip, an electrical control system comprising just one cam/actuator assembly for modifying the travel of the handgrip remains within the scope of the present application.

(20) FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to an aspect of the invention, in which the modification of the preload of the return spring 3 and the modification of the travel of the handgrip 1 are linked.

(21) The system comprises a handgrip 1 mounted on a shaft 1b and fitted with a position sensor 2 and with a return spring 3 wound around the shaft 1b.

(22) The system also comprises an actuator 4 able to move a cam 5 mounted on the shaft 1b and fixed to the return spring 3, the return spring also being fixed to the handgrip 1 in such a way as to generate a return moment that opposes the twisting of the grip 1 and that increases with increasing twisting of the handgrip 1. As in the first embodiment, moving the cam 5 makes it possible to modify the preload of the return spring.

(23) The cam 5 also makes it possible to define the travel of the handgrip in collaboration with the end stop 6.

(24) The position sensor 2 and the actuator 4 are connected to the electronic control unit 7.

(25) The electronic control unit 7 receives the position of the handgrip via the position sensor 2 so as to determine the torque required and the corresponding engine commands. In return, it emits a control signal destined for the actuator 4 so as to modify the angular position of the cam 5 so as to act on the return spring 3 in order to modify the preload thereof and limit the travel available when twisting the handgrip 1, because of the presence of the end stop 6.

(26) In one exemplary embodiment, the handgrip offers more resistance to twisting and less handgrip travel when the torque is high, and less resistance and more handgrip travel when the torque is low.

(27) In another exemplary embodiment, the handgrip offers more resistance to twisting and less handgrip travel when the vehicle is moving in a sporty mode, and less resistance and more handgrip travel when the vehicle is moving in a touring mode.

(28) FIG. 4 illustrates the key elements of the system for controlling a vehicle fitted with electrical controls according to the second embodiment, in a view along the axis of the handgrip.

(29) It may be seen that the external radius of the cam 5 is greater than the internal radius of the end stop 6 so as to be able to block the travel of the handgrip while being connected to the return spring 3.

(30) In the embodiments illustrated, the return spring 3 is of the spiral spring type, wound around the shaft 1b of the handgrip. However, other types of spring may be employed, notably a tension spring.

(31) The position sensor 2 may notably be an index sensor collaborating with an index 10 attached to the handgrip 1, using mechanical or magnetic interaction, such as a potentiometer or a Hall-effect sensor.